Earlier this week while I was cleaning the house, I had to run upstairs to get a garbage bag and a ziploc bag for the downstairs. As I walked past the laundry room I stopped, better change the laundry, before it starts smelling bad, all while chanting to myself, garbage bag and a ziploc bag, so I wouldn’t forget what I came upstairs for. I passed a box of cookies, yum! I’ll just take one, still chanting garbage bag and a ziploc bag. After unloading the dishwasher, eating another cookie, making the guest bed, folding the laundry, and picking up the five pairs of shoes on the floor from my boys, I was finally ready to go back downstairs, but first, garbage bag and a ziploc bag. As I was walking down the stairs after a very long, distracted upstairs visit, I actually remembered the silly garbage and ziploc bag that I went upstairs for in the first place over an hour ago. I got back to where I needed to be, and I was prepared and had what I needed.
This may seem like a silly story, but when I got back downstairs, and was somewhat in shock I actually remembered what I needed, I heard that still small voice, “this is why you need to meditate on My Word.” By me repeating that phrase of what I needed helped me to remember when the time came. I was prepared with the things I needed for the moment I needed them. This is the exact reason why scripture says to meditate on God’s word day and night. To meditate on God’s word means to think it, to say it, to repeat it again and again, because God knows that we have distracted minds in a distracted world, in a distracted culture that is pulling us up/over/down/backward/and outward directions. The word of God is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. (Psalm 119:105). The words that we meditate on, direct our path, and equip us for the things we need. How easy it is to forget what God says in the midst of all the distractions. If I did not repeatedly remind myself of the silly bags to bring downstairs, I know my mind and it would not have remembered those things after all the distractions.
I hear the Lord remind us in this moment, focus, tune in and write the words of My Word on your heart. Know My Word inside and out and may it be the light unto the dark path. This is not a cover up, this is not a helpful tool to keep in your back pocket, this is a lifeline in a world that is divided and torn. May you meditate on my word day and night, for when the time comes you will have what you need when you need it.
This week, let us all be challenged to find the scripture that speaks to us, that we need to hide in our hearts. Instead of filling our minds with worry, unknowns, lists of things to do, let us fill our minds with the Word of God. Instead of, “I’m scared,” let us say again and again, FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU-FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU-FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU-FEAR NOT FOR I AM WITH YOU FEAR NOT-FOR I AM WITH YOU, SAYS THE LORD.
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; Isaiah 43:1-3
We were created for such a time as this. The word is alive and active, sharper than any double-edge sword. (Hebrews 4:12) May we be ready for the celebrations and the divisions. May we say what God says before our flesh. As we meditate on God’s Word, may we be prepared, active, and focused for the days to come.
Emily Rodewald 